Adhesives, Coatings and Inks
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Key Documents
List of all Substitutes for Solvents (PDF) (2 pp, 55K)
Adhesives, coatings, and inks traditionally contain solid components that are suspended in a solvent, spread over a surface and bond to it, and then allow the solvent to evaporate. Prior to the Montreal Protocol, the ozone-depleting substance methyl chloroform was often used as the carrier solvent in adhesives, coatings, and inks.
End Uses
- Adhesives are formulations of sticky solids used to adhere pieces of material together. Common uses are laminate adhesives, flexible foam adhesives, and hardwood floor adhesives.
- Coatings are durable and decorative coatings such as paints, wood stains, and aerospace coatings that contain solids distributed through a carrier solvent.
- Inks are pigments distributed through a carrier solvent including flexographic and rotogravure printing inks.
Publications
- Questions And Answers About May, 2007 Proposed and Final Rules on n-Propyl Bromide (PDF) (3 pp, 33K)
- Development of Safer Cleaning Alternatives in the Aerospace, Printing, and Coating Industries (PDF) (60 pp, 3.8MB)
- This report by the Institute for Research and Technical Assistance describes successful, environmentally-friendly, cost-effective cleaners that can remove adhesives, coatings, and inks.
- Fact Sheet for June 3, 2003 Proposed Rule on n-Propyl Bromide (PDF) (2 pp, 202K)
- Solvents used in Adhesives, Coatings, and Inks
- EPA/ICEL Solvent Reduction Manuals
- Questions and Answers about Adhesives, Coatings and Inks Substitutes